See 'A Prairie Home Companion' live

'A Prairie Home Companion' will take to the stage at Elliott Hall with a live show beginning at 5:45 p.m. Saturday.

SATURDAY: Over the airwaves, Garrison Keillor's voice on "A Prairie Home Companion" sounds smooth, calm. People listen to the classic variety show as they sip drinks on the porch or drive in their cars.

But in person, Sue Scott, one of the character actors on the show, said it's often a controlled chaos. People are running around on the stage, and sometimes Keillor will change a line mid-scene, passing a note to the other actors as they continue on.

On Saturday at Elliott Hall of Music, the regular radio listeners and others will have a chance to see the behind-the-scenes action during the live performance. It begins promptly at 5:45 p.m., and tickets run from $25 to $100.

Scott said the live show brings unique challenges.

"It's very much like live theater," she said. "But it's radio."

They work hard to make the show entertaining for both audiences, she said, but it isn't always predictable.

Though at Purdue University the cast is performing with the Glee Club and Old Crow Medicine Show, Scott said the cast won't know anything about the script until they rehearse on Friday.

No matter which medium people choose to listen through, though, Scott said "A Prairie Home Companion" is a special experience.

"It just doesn't happen anymore, not even on television," she said. "There's something about listening to the radio that brings you back."

And on Saturday, listeners can see exactly how that magic is made.

When: 5:45 p.m. Saturday

Where: Elliott Hall of Music, 712 Third St., West Lafayette

How much: $25 to $100, available through Ticketmaster, at the box office and at 800-914-SHOW

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See 'A Prairie Home Companion' live

'A Prairie Home Companion' will perform a live show at 5:45 p.m. Saturday at Elliott Hall of Music.